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Topic: New Owner (Read 570 times)

Hello Folks,Just became a used Royal Enfield owner. The bike has not ran since last year, and I know less than nothing about it. I purchased it for my 10 year old son for his 1st bike. It's our project to build, we we're previously working on a '65 BSA Lightning and parts were getting too expensive to continue at the moment. Since the bike has set for so long, what do you recommend I address first? It has compression when kicked. Also, anything you all could tell me about it would be greatly appreciated, I am like a sponge at this point.

That is clearly an iron barrel engine. Does it have electric start? Also, the VIN number on it should be able to help you find the year of manufucture. My guess is late 90s to 2005. But can't tell from just that picture. Also, there should be an engine number on it. Did it come with anything else or any other information?

Thank Joel. Yes, it does have electric start. Previous owner said that the battery is dead and there is an issue with the kill switch so he bypassed it. It's an '04 with 8,000 miles. I pick it up and a couple of manuals tomorrow morning. I plan on draining the old fuel, changing the oil and plug and cleaning the carb. Any other issues I made need to address to get it fired up? By the way, am I in the right forum group? Thanks

I'd start with the basics: fuel, air and spark. After you change the oils, check your fuel and carb. Make sure the rubber hoses for air and to the head aren't cracked. For spark, I'd recommend a new plug and since it looks like you've got points, you might want to have a looksie.

Read all you can in the iron barrel classic forum! Lots of really good stuff there (and in this forum as well, but it's different engine with electric ignition mostly).

One final thought. Your electric start should be used sparingly. Read up in the sprag gear failures and you'll know why. These bikes are v easy to kick start once you know the routine.

Best of luck!

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Suppose I were an idiot, and suppose I were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself. ... Mark Twain2006 AVL Electra

CMHWhile your changing the spark plug, drop just a few drops of oil down the spark plug hole into the cylinder and kick the engine over a few times to distribute it on the rings and cylinder wall.

After sitting for a year, most if not all of the oil has drained off of those areas. Also, kicking it over a few times will help to pump some oil into the crankshaft and onto the rod bearing.That bearing is a floating sleeve bearing that must have oil on both its internal and external surfaces to keep from having metal to metal contact.

Pretty much what you and everyone else has said so far. Change the oil, fuel and spark plug, reset the points gap, and get a new battery. But before you start on that stuff, put a good 1/4-1/2 ounce of oil down the spark plug hole (Marvel Mystery Oil works VERY well for this) before changing the oil. Let it sit for 30 minutes or more and then slowly push down the kick starter serveral times to free up the piston and rings. Failure to do this could potentially cause damage to the piston rings and cylinder wall and result in lower compression and oil consumption problems.

+1 on what Scottie said about light oil in the cylinder to make sure the rings are free and slightly lubed on the start. I recently soaked a Harley's cylinders with Kroil overnight after sitting 25 years and the rings were free and had good compression.The plugs fouled with the oil at first, but I just pulled and cleaned them after the first dozen kicks and she started.

Thanks for all the help! I plan on getting it running and a basic cleaning/polishing before unveiling it to my son on Christmas morning. Right now it's safe in my garage and I will most likely start working on it next week!